20 days. 18 hours. 59 minutes.

That's what it took for Leah Goldstein to conquer the 2026 Tour Divide and finish an incredible 2nd place in one of the world's toughest self-supported mountain bike races.

At 57, Leah lined up for the 2026 Tour Divide – her first mountain bike endurance race.

For roughly 2,700 miles, riders follow the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from north to south starting in Banff, Alberta, Canada, and finishing at the US/Mexico border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. With no support crews, riders must carry their own gear, navigate remote terrain, and contend with whatever the trail and weather throw at them.

After 20 days, 18 hours and 59 minutes, Leah crossed the finish line to claim an extraordinary 2nd place finish. 

For nearly 3 weeks, Leah relied on our Spider Rear Rack & 12L Heavy Duty Dry Bag to carry her essentials – a secure, stable and reliable option for one of the most demanding bikepacking events in the world! 

Q&A with Leah

What was one item you packed that proved invaluable?
My thermal mitts which are supposed to handle temperatures below -20 (and my hands were still cold). Bear spray would be second. 

What was the most challenging aspect of the race, as someone doing their first mtb endurance event?
The most challenging part was hiking up very steep grades with a 55lb bike, some of the CDT trail was not ridable. Longest I had to hike was about 6 hours. For this race having good mountain bike skills is crucial.

Why did you choose the aeroe rack and carrier system?
My coach recommended aeroe, I needed something durable and user friendly. It's the best bag and rack system I have ever used. I put my bike through hell with the number of crashes I had, the rack did not move, it was like an extension of my bike... bombproof.

What advice would you give someone preparing for their first multi-day mtb adventure – whether it be a trip or an event?
I think the most important is to know the level of difficulty in regards to the terrain. Maneuvering a loaded bike feels very different. I also think taking the proper clothing, especially in cold weather.

"I have used many different brands and they don't come close to the aeroe rack stability, durability and quality. I am a user for life and will use the aeroe rack in my future races." – Leah

Want to keep up with Leah's adventures? Follow her on Instagram.

Photo credits: Rob Tolley and Leah's team.